Entry Rules Explained

Visit Japan Web

Last checked: 19 October 2026 · Arrival cards

Visit Japan Web is the Japanese government's free online service for immigration clearance and customs declarations 1,3. You register before you fly and show a 2D code on your phone or tablet on arrival 1. Japan Customs recommends it, but paper forms are still available on the plane or ship 5. The Digital Agency says it never asks users to pay 3. The official address is https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp 1.
Official website
https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp 1
Cost
Free. The Digital Agency never asks users to pay fees 3
Required?
Recommended. Paper forms are available 5
What it covers
Immigration clearance and customs declaration 1
You need
Flight details, passport and an email address 1,2
On arrival
Show your 2D code on a smartphone or tablet 1
Run by
Digital Agency, Government of Japan 1

What Visit Japan Web does

Visit Japan Web is a web service for immigration procedures, meaning immigration clearance and the customs declaration 1. Visitors from overseas and residents returning to Japan can use it 1. Foreign visitors can use it for tax-free purchases during their stay 1.

Who uses it, and is it required?

All passengers entering Japan must declare their belongings to customs 5. Japan Customs recommends submitting the declaration electronically through Visit Japan Web 5. Customs declaration forms are still available on the plane, on the ship or at customs 5.

If you send unaccompanied baggage, you must submit a written customs declaration in duplicate 5.

Cost

Visit Japan Web is free. In June 2025 the Digital Agency warned that it had found a site asking Visit Japan Web users to pay an application fee, and said it never asks users to pay 3.

How to register

  • Create an account with an email address 2.
  • Register the user and your passport details by scanning with the camera or typing them in 2.
  • Register your entry schedule. You can reuse details from an earlier trip or from a Japanese visa application 2.
  • Fill in the entry procedure for your schedule 2.
  • On arrival, show the 2D code on your smartphone or tablet. You can register on a PC, but you need a phone or tablet to show the code 1,2.

When to register and how long it lasts

Register before you travel to Japan 1. The Digital Agency pages we checked do not set a fixed window. Each entry procedure is linked to the schedule you register for that trip 2. You will see a warning if your passport has less than six months left 2.

Fake sites and apps

The Digital Agency has warned about a site charging Visit Japan Web users a fee 3. In December 2023 it warned about suspicious apps such as "Visit Japan Web Info". It said the service does not provide any apps and told users to uninstall them 4. Use only https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp, linked from the Digital Agency page 1.

Common questions

Is Visit Japan Web mandatory?

Japan Customs recommends it. Paper declaration forms are still available on planes, ships and at customs 5.

Does Visit Japan Web cost anything?

No. The Digital Agency says it never asks users to pay 3.

Is there an official Visit Japan Web app?

No. The Digital Agency says the service does not provide any apps 4.

Can I use Visit Japan Web on a laptop?

You can register on a PC, but you must show the 2D code on a smartphone or tablet 1.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

  1. Digital Agency (Japan): Visit Japan Web (accessed 19 October 2026)
  2. Digital Agency (Japan): Visit Japan Web, steps for immigration procedures (accessed 19 October 2026)
  3. Digital Agency (Japan): Announcement Concerning Use of Visit Japan Web (5 June 2025)
  4. Digital Agency (Japan): Suspicious apps such as "Visit Japan Web Info" were found (14 December 2023)
  5. Japan Customs: Passenger procedures (accessed 19 October 2026)

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